Hyderabad’s historic ‘Char Kaman’ to turn more vibrant soon

The Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority is planning to illuminate the iconic Char Kaman (four arches) situated near the Charminar on par with the other heritage structures and tourist places across the State.

Hyderabad: If all goes well the historic Char Kaman in the old city will be illuminated giving it a vibrant look soon.

The Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority is planning to illuminate the iconic Char Kaman (four arches) situated near the Charminar on par with the other heritage structures and tourist places across the State.

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The project is pegged to cost Rs 8.19 crore and the works are set to commence shortly and completed by the end of the Ramzan month.

The authorities aim to use architectural lighting for the Char Kaman – Machli Kaman to the north, Charminar Kaman to the south, Kaman-e-Sehar-Batil to the west and the eastern Kali Kaman – and around the iconic places such on Nayapul to Charminar stretch and Laad Bazaar.

The project is being undertaken under corporate social responsibility of NTPC as part of the Centre’s Swachh Iconic Places project.

An official of QQSUDA said the architectural lighting is a way to enhance the beauty of heritage monuments and other architectural structures by illuminating them at night. “It is done globally at places of tourist interest to highlight the architectural details of a monument, project its symbolic meaning, and create a special atmosphere for visitors,” said the official.

The four arches were constructed around a year after the construction of the historic Charminar. The four arches, standing 75 metres tall, were constructed equidistant with Gulzar Houz in the centre during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Quli. Each of the four arches were designed in the same style and served as gateways to royal structures in the area.

The arch on the north is called ‘Machli Kaman’ for a big fish made of bamboo resembling a miniature airplane was suspended on it every lunar year. On the east is the Kali Kaman or Kaman of Shambhoo Pershad, a royal who stayed there. The Kaman Sher-e-Batil is on the west while the Charminar Kaman on the south, near the iconic four minaret-edifice.